Heat activated reinforcing sleeve

Abstract

A reinforced sleeve including a carrier member and a reinforcing medium supported by the carrier member. The carrier is an elongated polymer member, and the reinforcing medium extends along at least a portion of the length of the carrier member. The reinforcing medium is preferably an epoxy-based resin. More particularly, the reinforcing medium is preferably a heat-activated structural foam.

We claim:  
     
       1. A reinforced sleeve, comprising: 
       an elongated carrier having at least one opening adapted for passage of components therethrough, and an interior surface having a plurality of axially extending ribs; and  
       a reinforcing medium supported by the carrier, wherein the reinforcing medium extends along at least a portion of the length of the carrier.  
     
     
       2. The reinforced sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is made from a polymer composite. 
     
     
       3. The reinforced sleeve as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the polymer composite is one selected from the group consisting of sheet molding compound, fiber reinforced polymer, and mineral reinforced polymer. 
     
     
       4. The reinforced sleeve defined in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is coupled to an automobile frame system. 
     
     
       5. The reinforced sleeve defined in  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing medium is an epoxy-based resin. 
     
     
       6. The reinforced sleeve defined in  claim 5 , wherein the reinforcing medium is L5206 structural foam commercially available from L&L Products of Romeo, Mich. 
     
     
       7. The reinforced sleeve defined in  claim 5 , wherein the reinforcing medium is L5207 structural foam commercially available from L&L Products of Romeo, Mich. 
     
     
       8. The reinforced sleeve defined in  claim 5 , wherein the reinforcing medium is L5208 structural foam commercially available from L&L Products of Romeo, Mich. 
     
     
       9. The reinforced sleeve defined in  claim 5 , wherein the reinforcing medium is L5209 structural foam commercially available from L&L Products of Romeo, Mich. 
     
     
       10. The reinforced sleeve defined in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier has an offsetting portion that creates a clearance between the sleeve and a surface of an automobile frame when the sleeve is coupled to the automobile frame. 
     
     
       11. A reinforced sleeve, comprising: 
       an elongated molded plastic carrier wherein said carrier has an outer surface that is asymmetrical about its longitudinal axis and a longitudinally extending hollow opening; and  
       an epoxy-based reinforcing medium supported by the carrier, wherein the reinforcing medium extends along at least a portion of the length of the carrier and is thermally expandable for forming a structural foam.  
     
     
       12. The reinforced sleeve as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the carrier is made from a polymer composite. 
     
     
       13. The reinforced sleeve as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the polymer composite is one selected from the group consisting of sheet molding compound, fiber reinforced polymer, and mineral reinforced polymer. 
     
     
       14. The reinforced sleeve defined in  claim 11 , wherein the carrier is coupled to an automobile frame system. 
     
     
       15. The reinforced sleeve defined in  claim 11 , wherein the reinforcing medium is an epoxy-based resin. 
     
     
       16. The reinforced sleeve defined in  claim 11 , wherein the carrier is disposed within an automobile frame system. 
     
     
       17. The reinforced sleeve as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said reinforcing medium is an epoxy-based polymer having foamable characteristics. 
     
     
       18. The reinforced sleeve as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said reinforcing medium is a heat activated expandable polymer foam. 
     
     
       19. The reinforced sleeve as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said reinforcing medium is an expandable plastic material having foamable characteristics that can be activated at a temperature encountered in an automotive vehicle paint operation. 
     
     
       20. The reinforced sleeve defined in  claim 11 , wherein the carrier has an offsetting portion that creates a clearance between the sleeve and a surface of an automobile frame when the sleeve is coupled to the automobile frame.